Apparatus for returning matrices to linotype machines



Dec. 1-2, 1950 M. s. MAUST APPARATUS FOR RETURNING MATRICES T0 LINOTYPE MACHINES Filed July 15, 1947 "mmvrm v BY V mm

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Patented Dec. 12, 1950 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE APPARATUS FOR RETURNING MATRICES TO LIN OTYEE MACHINES Marshall S. Maust, Scottdale, Pa.

Application July 15, 1947, Serial No. 761,139

1 Claim. 1

This invention relates to typographical machines and, in particular, to apparatus for returning loose matrices to the distributor boxes of machines which are known commercially under the trade-mark Linotype. However, the apparatus also may be used to advantage on other types of typographical machines such as the Intertype machine and, therefore, subsequent reference to Linotype machines should be understood to include all typographical machines which are constructed in such a way that the apparatus of the present invention is suitable for use with them.

As is known to those skilled in this art, smooth operation of Linotype machines requires frequent removal of the matrices for cleaning, polishing and buffing, or fonts of matrices may sometimes be removed from a magazine to permit others to be inserted. In either event, it eventually is necessary to return the matrices to the machine, and this has been done by manually positioning each matrix on the second elevator bar from which they are moved automatically into the distributor box by a sliding transfer finger. The objections to such manual operation are that its slowness decreases the efilciency of the machine and also that, if the positioning is not accurate, the subsequent movement into the distributor box will damage the teeth and result in improper distribution.

It is therefore an object of this invention to provide an attachment for a Linotype machine which facilitates and accelerates the process of returning loose matrices to the distributor box, and which insures correct placement of the matrices on the machines second elevator bar.

The attachment provided by the invention consists of a matrix return chute in which matrices are assembled for delivery to the second elevator bar. At the delivery end of the chute is mounted a matrix guide bar which is the counterpart of the elevator bar, and in delivery position of the chute the guide bar is brought into exact registry with the outer end face of the elevator bar and the matrices pushed out of the chutes guide bar and from the guide bar onto the machines second elevator bar.

The preferred embodiment of the invention is illustrated in the accompanying drawings of which Figs. 1 and 2 are side elevational and front end views, respectively, of the return chute; Fig. 3 is a perspective view of the chutes matrix guide bar; Fig. 4 is a section taken on the line IV-IV of Fig. 1; and Fig. 5 is a perspective view of a portion of a Mergenthaler Linotype with the return chute placed in matrix delivery position.

Although the invention will be described wit reference to its use with the Mergenthaler Linotype machine, it should be understood that it can also be used. with other machines having operations similar to the Linotype. Referring to the drawings, the portions of the Mergenthaler machine illustrated in Fig. 5 include a C-shaped distributor shifter slide I below which is positioned a second elevator ear 2 which has a V-shaped portion on which are formed, according to prior teachings, matrix-holding teeth 3. Matrices 4, in an uninterrupted operation of a Linotype, are delivered from the Linotypes first elevator, not shown, to second elevator bar 2 from which they are progressed to a distributor box 9 by a sliding finger which normally is carried in slide l,-this slide being removed from the machine, prior to the returning of the matrices, by unscrewing a limit screw which normally is received in a threaded opening it provided at the outer end of the shifter slide l.

The matrix return chute comprises an elongate body portion 5 which is made up of bottom wall 6 and side walls 1 and 8. At the forward or delivery end of the chute the side walls are increased in height and a matrix guide bar H is mounted between them on a pair of pins l2 and I3 which extend through openings provided in the walls and in the guide bar. As shown in Fig. 3, approximately three-quarters of the forward portion of the matrix guide bar has straight upper side walls I4 below which is formed a V-shaped portion having matrix-holding teeth I5 which are positioned and shaped so as to exactly conform with teeth 3 of the second elevator bar, and rearwardly of this forward portion, the bar is rounded and tapered into a wedge-shape. The guide bar is recessed in the chute both from the front and top edges of the chutes side walls, and a top wall, or block I6 is mounted above the guide bar between the side walls, the forward portion of the top wall extending forwardly of the guide bar and forming a ledge portion I1. As shown in Figs. 2 and 4, the top wall has downwardly projecting flanges 2B which fit between the guide bar and the side walls 7 and 8 of the chute and the flanges are provided with openings receiving pins l2 and i3. Bolted to the top wall, as shown in Fig. l, is a leaf spring 18, the purpose of which will become apparent; The front edges of the chutes side walls l and 8 are cut back to form what amounts to a window for observing the registry of the guide bar. In operation, loose matrices 4 which have been removed from the Linotype are inserted in an upright manner in the rear portion of the chute, and in order to deliver the matrices to the second elevator bar the chute is positioned by hand, as shown in Fig. 5, so that teeth l5 of its guide bar are in exact registry with teeth 3 of the second elevator bar. In this position the overhangin ledge 11 of the top wall hooks over, and the upper portions of the side walls of the chute fit around, the upper end of the second elevator bar. The registry of the bars is steadied in this manner and also leaf spring l8 assists in maintaining this position by bearing against the lower wall of the c-shaped distributor shifter slide 1. The matrices then are pushed onto the teeth of matrix guide bar II and from the guide bar onto the second elevator bar by means of a push rod 2 I.

The purpose of the wedge-shaped rear portion of the bar is to guide the matrices onto the teeth of the chutes guide bar and, to further assist in placing the matrices on the bar, its rear portion is mounted in the side walls of the chute in a manner which ermits it to rock and float so that it will move into proper position to receive the matrices when they are pressed against it. As illustrated in Fig. 4, this rocking and floating motion is imparted to the bar by making the holes which receive its securing pin I3 of slightly larger diameter than the pin.

The principal advantage of a chute of this type is that it avoids the necessity of placing each individual matrix by hand upon the second elevator bar, and, instead, permits a plurality of matrices to be positioned in the chute and delivered with one motion to the second elevator bar. The saving in time and also the accuracy of placement of the matrices upon the second elevator bar substantially increase the speed and efiiciency of the operation of returning loose matrices to the magazines of a Mergenthaler Linotype machine.

According to the provisions of the patent statutes, I have explained the principle and construction of my invention and have illustrated and described what I now consider to represent its best embodiment. However, I desire to have it understood that, within the scope of the appended claim, the invention may be practiced otherwise than as specifically illustrated and described.

I claim:

A matrix return chute for delivering matrices onto the teeth of the second elevator bar of a Linotype machine, said chute comprising an elongate body having a bottom and a pair of side walls, a top wall extending between the front end portions of said side walls, and a matrix guide bar mounted in said side wall front portion directly beneath said top wall, said guide bar being recessed a short distance from the forward edges of the side wall and having teeth shaped and positioned in exact conformity with said teeth of said second elevator bar, whereby the front end-of said chute can be hooked over said second elevator bar and said guide bar and elevator bar teeth brought into accurate registry for delivering said matrices from the guide bar teeth to those of the elevator bar, said guide bar being rockably mounted and having a Wedge shaped and smooth rear portion.

MARSHALL S. MAUST.

REFERENCES CITED The following references are of record in the file of this patent:

UNITED STATES PATENTS 

